audio fidelity
Recording reproduction quality
Audio fidelity is how accurately a sound reproduction matches the original.
High fidelity (hi-fi) means minimal distortion—the recording or playback captures what was actually there.
Low fidelity (lo-fi) accepts or embraces imperfection.
The audio fidelity on these old cassettes is terrible.
The term applies to recordings, speakers, headphones, and entire sound systems.
- dynamic rangeSignal amplitude span
- headphonesWearable speakers for ears
- warmthHeat you feel
- vinyl recordsAnalog audio discs
- frequency responseOutput versus input frequencies
signal-to-noise ratio · audiophile · transparency · sampling rate · bit depth · CD quality · lossless · master tape · clarity · speakers · listening room · sound stage · stereo · recording studios · realism · brightness · preamps · microphones
- soundsound, sound waves, echoes, acoustics, vibrations
- audio masteringmastering, remastering, final mix, loudness, limiter
- radioFM radio, crystal set, AM radio, radio station, radio broadcast
- FM radioFM radio, FM tuner, FM receiver, FM band, FM stations
- tape recordingtape, cassette tape, magnetic tape, tape reel, cassette recorder
- telephone partshandset, earpiece, dial, mouthpiece, receiver
audio fidelityaudio distortion
Degraded sound quality
low fidelity · lo-fi · signal degradation · noise · crackle